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1
Naman Pujari
Due March 20th
ENGL 21007 - Bubrow
RESULTS
The method, when carried out, provided interesting results. It was noticeable by simple observation, that a
normal distribution did occur. The sum of 7 had the highest probability while both sums of 2 and 12, the
extremes of the data set experienced little to no occurrence. See appendix for data from all 100 trials.
Plotting the data in the table above provides us with a graph (as seen in Figure 2) that displays the normal
distribution visually.
2
Naman Pujari
Due March 20th
ENGL 21007 - Bubrow
DISUSSION
Figure 2 provides more insight into the situation than Table 1 as it includes a visual factor. Although obvious
at first that there are hints of Gaussian Distribution, there are a few anomalies. A good example of this
would be the frequency of occurrence for sums of 5, as its frequency drop unnaturally (per the principles
of Normal Distribution, of course). This however, is not a worrying signal, as the amount of trials conducted
(100) were very less to ensure an accurate depiction of the situation. Had there been more trials and data,
there would certainly be a more properly curved Gaussian distribution. It is important to note, for this
reason, that the principles of probability are only seen well in data when a high amount of trials are taken.
One major success, as observed from the graph, is the fact that sums of 7 experienced the highest frequency
of occurrence. This conforms to both the laws of probability, and the Normal Distribution theorem as
explained in the introduction.
Taking the standard deviation of the data (seen in
the appendix) can provide for more in-depth
understanding. For perfect distributions, 68% of
all data lies within one standard deviation of the
mean (the mean in this case being 7). Figure 3
provides better insight.
The value of standard deviation is 2.83, which
can be rounded off to 3 as all the numbers in the
data set of sums are whole numbers. Note:
calculation for the standard deviation can be
found in the appendix. Hence, setting the limits
defined by m-d and m+d (m being 7) provides us
with an interval ranging from 4 to 10. Referring
to Table 1., and adding the percentage
frequencies for each sum in the established interval provides a value of 72%.
This finding strengthens the evidence for Gaussian distribution, as 72% is quite close to the ideal value of
68%, given the relatively rudimentary conditions of the experiment.
CONCLUSION
The report confirmed many theorems regarding Gaussian Distribution. What was first established was the
fact that the mean of all the sums (7) experienced the highest percent frequency. It was also proven that the
data set shared a common feature with standard Normal Distribution in that 72% (a value very close to the
ideal value of 68%) of all the sums of the two dice fell within the range of 4 to 10 inclusive, which were
within an interval of one standard deviation away from the mean. The findings of the report are very close
to that of the referenced study, in which the two authors, Lukac and Engel, proved that the Gaussian
Distribution was prevalent in the throwing and summing of three dice. A good deduction, using basic
knowledge of probability and by referencing the two studies (this and the one by Lukac and Engel) is that
Normal Distribution applies to any number n dice when their sum in each trial is recorded for a
considerable amount of trials.
REFERENCES
Lukac, S., & Engel, R. (2010). Investigation of Probability Distributions Using Dice Rolling Simulation.
Australian Mathematics Teacher, 66(2), 30-35.
3
Naman Pujari
Due March 20th
ENGL 21007 - Bubrow
APPENDIX
4
Naman Pujari
Due March 20th
ENGL 21007 - Bubrow